I take it as just infertility, not alien physiology. The hardware’s the same; it just doesn’t do the job.

fireinthedust wrote:

How do you deal with the trait that Hyperboreans and Atlanteans are deemed "sexually incompatible" with the other races?

Is it just infertile with other pairings?  Or are we talking different physical traits, like Atlanteans laying eggs or spray-fertilizing them after swimming up stream?  Do hyperboreans have cloning cells they imprint, like Kryptonians?  Are there horrible knee-tentacles that you wish they didn't show off at dinner?

I don't deal with it.  They simply don't interbreed for some reason that doesn't enter into game play.  <shrug>

I don't worry about it too much since my players don't worry about it.

If they did then I would make something up on the spot I guess.

Hell, dealing with someone playing a Hyperborean to the hilt is enough of a handful, never mind someone wanting to get frisky with an Atlantean or vice versa.

DMPrata wrote:

I take it as just infertility, not alien physiology. The hardware’s the same; it just doesn’t do the job.

This. But by intent, it is not explained in great detail, allowing individual referees to interpret as they so choose. I can tell you how I manage it in my campaign, but it's obviously less imaginative than some of the suggestions that I've read in this thread!  
 

Ghul wrote:

DMPrata wrote:

I take it as just infertility, not alien physiology. The hardware’s the same; it just doesn’t do the job.

This. But by intent, it is not explained in great detail, allowing individual referees to interpret as they so choose. I can tell you how I manage it in my campaign, but it's obviously less imaginative than some of the suggestions that I've read in this thread!  
 

I’m drawing deep from the source material, from the “essence” of your writing, by letting your propositions play out to their natural conclusions.

See, Hyperboreans are from an ancient civilization, which means eons of history and customs, with highly nuanced communication that transcends language. Their culture formed militarily, but they have progressed so far they also have traditions of art, like Japanese Noh but a thousand times more ancient, more rich, a richness others can never, ever approach understanding let alone attempt.

Semafor mimes is the only medium that could accomplish that, to truly express the thrust of the Hyperboreans you’ve brought into the gaming world.

Or as they themselves would say: up, wiggle, sideways, pulling a rope, invisible wall, wiggle, very strong wind, leaning on an invisible ledge.

Beautiful.

fireinthedust wrote:

Ghul wrote:

DMPrata wrote:

I take it as just infertility, not alien physiology. The hardware’s the same; it just doesn’t do the job.

This. But by intent, it is not explained in great detail, allowing individual referees to interpret as they so choose. I can tell you how I manage it in my campaign, but it's obviously less imaginative than some of the suggestions that I've read in this thread!  
 

I’m drawing deep from the source material, from the “essence” of your writing, by letting your propositions play out to their natural conclusions.

See, Hyperboreans are from an ancient civilization, which means eons of history and customs, with highly nuanced communication that transcends language. Their culture formed militarily, but they have progressed so far they also have traditions of art, like Japanese Noh but a thousand times more ancient, more rich, a richness others can never, ever approach understanding let alone attempt.

Semafor mimes is the only medium that could accomplish that, to truly express the thrust of the Hyperboreans you’ve brought into the gaming world.

Or as they themselves would say: up, wiggle, sideways, pulling a rope, invisible wall, wiggle, very strong wind, leaning on an invisible ledge.

Beautiful.

I like it. I get a strong Melnibonean vibe from your suggestions, too; incidentally a huge inspiration to my conception of the Hyperboreans.


 

mabon5127 wrote:

Hyperboreans, in particular, thinking themselves a superior race would never stoop to consummating this type of relation with beings of inferior stock!

Yea this was my take on it as well. Intimacy with the "lesser races" would be unthinkable, akin to bestiality at best.

I'm wondering what the fruit of fertility in Hungarian D20's adventure "The Lost Valley Of Kishar" would do. Since it's supposed to boost fertility. Originally I was going to have a bidding war start between Atlantean and Hyperborean factions to get most of the potions. Since they're worried about being a dying race. Throwing in for fun, the probability of twins and triplets for every pregnancy increases dramatically.
But now this has me thinking about if it could effect pairing between humans and Atlanteans and Hyperboreans.
Magic, the great disruptor  

Last edited by Tikon2000 (11/10/2024 5:05 pm)